Power outages in winter: expert predicts what the schedules will be like if it hits 15 degrees below zero

In the event of a cold winter, Ukrainians should prepare for power outages of 10-14 hours a day, while in warm winters these restrictions may be minimal – 2-4 hours. The worst-case scenario involves a power outage of up to two days in the event of Russian attacks on nuclear power plants.

This was stated by Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, in a comment to Espresso. One of the key factors that will determine the duration of power outages in winter is the air temperature.

"Unfortunately, in winter, no matter what we do, if there is a frost of minus 10-15°C, then restrictions of 10-14 hours a day are inevitable," Kharchenko emphasized. This scenario will become a reality if the winter is cold and temperatures remain low.

The reason is the limited capacity of the power system to ensure a stable supply of electricity in the face of increased demand created by cold weather. Power engineers are doing their best to keep the system in working order, but prolonged frosts put an excessive strain on the grid, requiring the introduction of strict restrictions.

However, if the winter turns out to be warm and temperatures fluctuate close to zero or even higher, the situation with outages will be much easier. "If the winter is warm, if the temperatures are close to 0°C or above 0°C, the restrictions will be 2-4 hours a day, absolutely minimal," Kharchenko said. He also added that Ukrainians no longer take such restrictions seriously, which indicates that the population has adapted to such situations.

Despite preparations for the winter, the risk of Russian shelling remains one of the biggest threats to the Ukrainian energy system. Kharchenko expressed concern about a possible worst-case scenario. "If there are strikes... on the outlet devices of nuclear power plants... we will be very hurt. And under certain conditions, there may be no electricity for 1-2 days," he emphasized. This scenario is extremely dangerous, as attacks on nuclear power plants can lead to prolonged power outages, which will significantly complicate the lives of citizens in the winter.

Ukrainian power engineers are doing everything possible to prepare for winter, but much will depend on weather conditions and the situation at the frontline. Citizens should be prepared for possible restrictions in electricity supply, especially in case of severe frosts or intensified Russian shelling.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, it is impossible to warn citizens about emergency power outages, as they are not planned. This step is necessary in cases where it is urgent to protect the system from excessive load.

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